Seattle (3/12/10) – At Brougham Pavilion on the campus of Seattle Pacific University, the HPU women's basketball team fell to Seattle Pacific in the first round of the NCAA West Regional. HPU closes the season at 17-8 while SPU (25-3) advances to the Regional Semifinal.

“I thought our team played timid at times, missing shots that we normally make,” said Head Coach Jeff Harada,

“but hats off to Seattle Pacific. They're a great team and played well on their home court.” Mana Hopkins led the Sea Warriors, posting 16 points and six rebounds, but was tagged with her fourth foul midway through the second half and had to sit out.

Jazzmin Awa-Williams recorded 11 points and four rebounds, and Britni Ronolo added a team-high 10 rebounds. Melissa Reich recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Seattle Pacific, who entered the tournament as the top seed.

HPU held an early 9-5 lead, but saw SPU run off 22 of the next 24 points to grab a 27-11 lead with 3:45 remaining in the first half. The Sea Warriors made a push to close the half, as a Hopkins jumper helped close to a 29-17 deficit at the break. SPU opened up a 15-point lead in the second half but again HPU responded, closing the gap to seven points. A Courtney Buster (6 pts, 8 reb) layup with just under seven minutes to play cut the SPU lead to 42-35. The seven-point margin would be as close as HPU got, as Seattle Pacific scored 11 straight points to extend to an 18-point lead with 4:05 remaining.

“I'm really proud of the ladies,” added Harada. “This loss in no way takes away from the fantastic season they had.”